Machine for briquetting peat



. April 15 1924.

F. T. DOW

MACHINE FOR BRIQUETTING FEAT Filed Nov. -2s 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28. 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor. I Fred T. Dow by Patented l5, lge.

lgddddd :man r. new, or Benefon, MAINE.

MACHINE FOR BRIQ'UETTING FEAT.

Application filed November 28, 1919.

T o all whom 'it may concern.:

Be it known that l, Farin T. Dow, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Bangor, county of Penobscot, State of Maine, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Briquetting Peat, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

rlhis invention relates to machines for briquetting .peat or similar material and has for its object to provide a novel machine of this type which operates to compress each charge of peat into briquet formation and retain the pressure thereon for a prede termined length of time, and at the same time to subject said compressed mass of peat to heat thereby to soften any binding ingredient in the peat so as to render such binding material active in binding the particles of the briquet together.

ln order to give an understanding of my invention, l have illustrated in the draw ings a selected embodiment thereof which will now be described, after which the novel features will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Fig. v1 of the drawings is a sectional View of an apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a valve which may be used for controlling the hydraulic press;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of part of the press;

Fig. a is a section on the line L -i, Fig.

Fig` 5 is an enlarged section on theline 55, Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6, Fig. l.

My improved press comprises a tubular matrix member l into Which charges of peat or similar material may be placed, a plunger' 2 reciprocable in said matrix and operating to take each charge of peat or other material and force the same into the matrix, and means to maintain each charge under pressure for a predetermined length of time and at the same time to subject said charge to the action of heat.

rl"he matrix element l is preferably of considerable length and is adapted to contain a plurality of separate charges or briquets in series. ^/ftssociated with the niatrix element l is a hopper 3: into which the Serial No. 341,213.

peat or other substance is delivered, and this hopper has communication with the matrix through an opening il. The plunger 2 is preferably actuated by hydraulic pressure and is constructed so that when it is in its retracted position the end 5 thereof has uncovered the opening 4 so that material in the hopper will enter the matrix l through said opening. When the plunger moves forwardly the material in front thereof is forced into the body of the matrix and is placed under compression.

I have herein provided a time mechanism which controls the length of time each charge or briquet is maintained under pressure, and While various devices for this purpose may be used, l prefer that herein shown; The delivery end 6 of the matrix element is-split longitudinally, as shown at 7,V thus allowing said end to beV expanded slightly or contracted. rlhis split end is encircled by a yoke 8 in which is pivoted a cam 9 arranged so that when the cam is turned in one direction it will force the two sides of the split end 6 toward 'each other, thus reducing the interior of the diameter of the tubular matrix member. Suitable automatically-operative means are employed for normally holding the cam in operative position to maintain the diameter of the tubular matrix slightly contracted, and a suitable time mechanism employed for moving the cam in the opposite direction to relieve the clamping pressure on the tube and thus allow the delivery end of the matrix to expand. One simple construction for this purpose comprises a weighted lever 'l0 connected to the cam 9, the weight 11 of which tends normally to maintain the cam in its operative clamping position. rlhe clamping pressure is relieved periodically by means of a camwlQ carried by a rotatable shaft 13 and adapted in its rotation to raise the lever 10 and thus turn the cam 9. The shaft 13 may be operated by any suitable time mechanism which will cause the cam to relieve the clamping pressure at predetermined time intervals.

When the cam `9 is in operative clamping position the delivery end 'of the tubular matrix will be contracted to such an extent that the briquets MOtherein will not be delivered therefrom and hence `-v'v'hen theplunger 2 is acted' onV by hydraulic pressure ISA ..- provided with ates through a. pa

Vthe expenditure of weones again to compress this new charge and maintain it under pressure until the clamping cern 9 is released again.

is illustrating one convenient hydraulic uechanisin tor accomplishing this purpose hare shown a device comprising a cylinier 2l open at one end and n piston elenient coen through the open end oi:l the cylinder7 said pieton element n i@ cad 23 to which the plunger 2 is connected. This head. is pio vided with arnis which are guided in slots 25 fornied in guide rails' The pis ton'elenient is cup-shaped and it oper- C' bos thereby maliing` a iight Joint with the cylinder. VJhen pressure is admitted to the left-hand end ot the cylinder, it Will act against the head 23 oftl the piston element and will thus more said element toward the right, w

lna-sniu-ch as the compressi quet is accomplished durino' he movement of the plunger 2 to the right and the move nient of the plunger to the lett requires comparatively little for ce, have provided herein a sulovplornen tary piston and cylinder -for returning the plunger to normal position, the operation o Which requires the use of considerably7 less Water than the operation of the main piston andcylinc This supplementary piston is indicated at 28 and it operates in a small cylinder 29 situated Within the piotion element rlhe supplementary piston 2S is.y connected by u piston rod 30 to the head 23. said piston rod extending through the end ot the cylinder 29. Means are nrovided .whereby both the pistons 22 and 28 are subjected to hydraulic pressure duringv the compressing of the. briquete and the supi pleinentary piston. 28 only is utilize-d .in returning the plunger 2 to its nornial nosi- 0 the brition. VKThe admission of the mot-ive Huid to the pistou may be controlled by any suitable valve niechanisin.

l have shown in l tion. The valve plugI 3l is pro-vided with' two -ports Li3 and e4.

en the Valve is in the position shown in Fig. l, the inlet port 33 communicates with the port 3e through the valve plus port 4:3 so that Water under pressure is adrlhe lettehand end oi mittedto the lett-hand end oi the cylinder 2i and through the ports 38 to the leftl hand end of the cylinder 29. Both pistons 22 and 28 are thus Vsubjected to the pressure of the Water. this Jposition the duc-t 37 leading to the rinjlithand end of the cylinder 29 communicates with the exhaust port Ail() through the valve plug port sie, and, therefore, the water-c is allowed to exhaust troni the righthand end oi the cylinder 29 as the piston nieves toward the right. When the Valve is turned into the position shown in Fig. 2. then the right-hand end ot the cylinder 29 has communication with the inlet port 33 through the valve plug port 43, and the lett-hand end of the cylinder 2l and 29 communicate with the exhaust pipe 42 through the ports 34, and 40. The Water pressure is thus admitted to the right-hand side of the piston 28 and the plunger 2 Will` thereb;T be retracted. The amount of Water which is required in the cylinder 29 to retract the piston 28 is, or" course, very much less than that required in moving the two pistons forward, and hence a sai/'ing in the amount of Water used is effected.

l have provided means for automatically shitting' the valve nlug 3l when the plunger reaches each end ot' its stroke, and While any structure for accomplishing this may be employed, I have illustrated herein a de. vicecomprising two solenoids 46 and'li?, the cores 8 i9 ot which are connected to the valve through a connection 50 which is in turn connected to an arin'l extend ing troni the Valve plug. 'When the solenoid e5 is energized the valve will be turned into the position shown in Fig. 2 and when the solenoid i7 is energized the Valve will be turn-ed into the position shown in Fig. 1.

liieans are provided for causing the energization of the solenoid 46 whenever the plunger 2 reaches the lirnit of its movementto the right and the energization of the solenoid t7 When the plunger reaches the limit oit its movement tothe lett. rl`he head 23 is shown as provided with a Contact 52 which is adapted to engage an insulated contact 53 when the head completes its movement to the right. The Contact 53 is connected b va Wire 5s to a battery 55 and the solenoid 46. said Wire being grounded on the trarne. When, theretore, the plunger completes its movement to the right, the circuit through the solenoid 46 will be closed by the closing et the contacts 52 and 53, and,Y as stated above. the ennrg'iannir of the solenoid Li6 will shift the valve 31 so as to cause the plunger to be retracted.

The Trarne 26 is provided with a plurality of holes 58 in any one of which may be inserted a stop pin 59. The cross head 23 carries an insulated Contact member 70 which is adapted to engage the stop pin llli/'hen the valve plug is iny llU 59 asthe piston 22Y moves rearwardly. This contact is connected by a circuit 71 to the solenoid 47, said circuit having a battery or other source of electrical supply 72 therein and being connected to the pins 59. The contact 70 is constructed so that it will engage the pin 59 just before the arm 24 of the cross head and thus during the rearward movement of the piston 22k the solei noid 47 will be actuated to reverse the valve 31 whenever the contact 70 comes into engagement with the pin 59. By placing the pin 59 in any one of the holes 58 the extent to which the piston 22 moves reary wardly, and consequently the length of the stroke of the plunger 2, can be determined and adjusted.

lit a large briquet is desired, the pin 59 will be put in the extreme hole to the left,

i thus allowing the plunger 2 to have its full stroke. If a shorter or smaller briquet is desired, then the pin 59 can be put in some one oic the other holes 58.

I have also provided means for feeding f' the material to be compressed through the opening 4. Such means is herein illustrated as a feed plunger 63 operating in the hopper 3 and connected to a lever 64 pivoted at 65. The end of the lever is provided with a roll 66 which rests on an arm 67 adjustably carried by the head 23, said arm having a sinuous surface 68 terminating in a cam portion 69. 700 is a spring acting on the arm and tending to keep the roll in r contactwith the arm 67. As the plunger moves forwardly, the sinuous surface 68 will give the lever 64 a vibrating movement, thus moving the plunger 63 up and down, such movement acting to assist in feeding material through the opening 4 and also acting to prevent the material from being crowded out through said opening by the forward movement of the plunger. The cam surface 69 is situated so that it will act on the lever 64 just as the end of the plunger is closing the opening 4, and as at this time the peat or other material is being placed under con. siderable pressure, the downward movement of the plunger 63 due to the cam surface 69 will help to press the material and confine it in front of the plunger 2 until the plunger has moved beyond the opening 4.

ln using the machine described herein the water or other fluid which actuates the plunger 2 is of such a pressure that when the delivery end 6 of the matrix element is contraced the plunger does not exert force enough on the newly JIormed briquet to push a finished briquet from the contracted end of the matrix member. It is only when the time mechanism has operated to release the clamping pressure and permit the expansion of the delivery end of the matrix element that the plunger 2 is permitted to :torce the series et medics quets 140 to the right through the matriz element. Thus when the time element operrites to permit tie expansion of 'the righthand end of the matrix element the plunger 2 under the pressure of the water on the cylinder 2l moves the entire line of briquets toward the right and expels a finished briquet from the end 6 of the matrix element. In doing this, the piston head 22 moves tar enough to the right to maire contact between the contacts 52 and 53 with the result that the solenoid 46 is actuated to shift the valve 3l so as to cause the plunger to be retracted.

As the plunger is being retracted more oi' the peat material falls through the opening 4 in a position to be compressed into the left-hand end of the matriz-1 member when the plunger again moves to the right. When the plunger has moved a predetermined distance toward its retracted position at the left,A depending upon the position of the stop pin 59. the solenoid 47 is actuated to shift the valve 3l so as to cause the plunger to again move toward the right. The plunger moves toward the right compressing the loose peat material until the material is compressed to such an extent that it eX- erts a torce on the plunger equal to the force which the water within the cylinder 2l exerts on the piston head .22. The plunger will then remain in this position pressing against the newly formed briquet until the time mechanism permits the righthand end 6 of the matrix member to open and a finished briquet be expelled and the entire line of briquets to move one position toward the right. Thus the time mechanism controls the length of time the briquet is maintained under pressure and, by means oi briquets in the matrix member, the time mechanism is operatively connected but not mechanically connected to the plunger mechanism. It will readily be seen that the time mechanism is thus independent of the plunger mechanism but the plunger mechanism is more or less controlled by the time mechanism. The pressure of the water or other fluid which actuates the plunger is the same at all times and thus the plunger operates under a constant pressure but the pressure is not enough to make the plunger complete its stroke unless permitted to do so by the time mechanism. For the successful operation of the machine it is, therefore, necessary that the pressure of the water or other luid be so regulated that the plunger will force briquets through the matrix when the right-hand end of the matrix is relieved oit the clamping pressure but not such that the plunger will force the briquets through the matrix when the right-hand end of the matrix is contracted.

I claim;

l. .ln a brieuetting machina the combina with s natuur r a briquet,

Cil

insonne and time mechanism independent of the compressing means for controlling the length oif time the briquet is maintained under pressure.

2. '.n a briquetting machine, the combination with a matrix member, of a plunger operable therein, means to apply pressure to the plunger, and time mechanism independent ot the plunger for controlling automatically the length oi time the pressure is applied.

3. ln a briquetting machine, the combination with a matrix open at' both ends, one of which is constructed 'to receive the maa teria to be compressed and the other ot 'which is the delivery end, of a plunger open ating in the first-named end to compress into a briquet material delivered to the matrixand torce the briquet through the matrix, and time mechanism independent oi other parts ol' the machine to control the delivery or briquets 'lrom the matrix.

il. ln a briquetting machine, the combination with a matrix open at both ends, one ci Which is constructed to receive the materia-l to be compressed and the other o which is the delivery end, of a plunger operating in the nrstnamed end to compress into a briquet material delivered to the matrix and force the briquet through the matrix, and time mechanism at the delivery end or' the matrix operable independently ci the plunger to control the delivery of briquets therefrom.

5. ln a briquetting machine, the combina tion with a matrix open at both ends, one oivvhich is constructed to receive the material to be compressed and the other oi" which is the delivery end, of a plunger operating in the first-named end to compress into briquet material delivered to the matrix, and independently operable means at the delivery end of the matrix to controltlie time of the delivery of briquets therefrom.

6. lin a briquetting machine, the combination with an elongated tubular matrix open at both ends, of means to deliver material to be briquets-dto one end of said matrix, a plunger operating in said end o the matrix to form said material into briquets, the opposite end or said matrix being contractible, andV means operable independently of other parts oi" the machine to contract said end periodically.

7. lin a briquetting machine, the combination with an elongated tubular matrix open at both ends, ol' means to deliver material to be briqueted to one end of said matrix, a

plunger operating under constant pressure in said end ol the matrix to form said mate rial into briquets, the opposite end of said matrix being contractible, a clamp for contracting said end, and time mechanism for actuating said clamp.

8. ln a briquetting machine, the combination with an elongated tubular matrix open at both ends, or means to deliver material to be briquetedto one end of said matrix, a plunger operatingy under constant pressure in said end el' the matrix to form said material into briquets, the opposite end oi` said matrix being slit, and time mechanism for periodically contracting said slit end of the matrix.k

'9. ln a briquetting machine, the combination. with an elongated tubular matrix open both ends, or means to deliver material to be briqueted to one end of said matrix, a plunger operating in said endoi the matrix to form said material into briquets, constant pressure means to operate said plunger thereby to -subject the material in the matrix to pressure, and time mechanism for controlling 1"he time during which the pressure is applied. y

l0. ln a briquetting machine, the combination with an elongated, tubular matrix having an inlet opening in one end, oi a reciproeating plunger operable in said matrix and adapted by its lorwardmovement to compress material delivered through said inlet opening into a briquet and to move previous'ly-'l'ormed briquets forward one step in said matrix, means to heat a portion of the matrix adjacent the inlet opening, means to cool a portion ot the matrix further on, and means operable independently of other parts of the machine for periodically contracting the matrix at a point beyond the cooling station.

ll. ln a briquetting machine, the combination With'an elongated, tubular matrix having an inlet opening in one end, of a reciproca-ting plunger operable in said matrix and adapted by its forward movement to compress material. delivered through said inlet opening into a briquet and to move previouslydormed briquets forward one step in said matrix, means to heat the portion of the matrix in which each briquet is left by the i'orivard'movement of the plunger, means to cool a portion of the matrix beyond, and means operable independently or" other parts o: the machine for periodically contracting the matrix at a point beyond the cooling station.

l2. ln a briquetting machine, the combination with an elongated, tubular matrixhaw ing an inlet opening in one end, oi: a reciprocating plunger operable in said matrix and adapted by its forward movement to compress material delivered through said inlet opening into a briquet and to move previously-ormed briquets forward one step in said matrix, means to heat the portion of the matrix in which each briquet is leit by the forward kmovement of theplunger, means to cool a portion of the matrix beyond, said heated portion of the matrix. being provided with vent openings,and means operable in- .movement or' the first-named plunger.

14. In a briquetting machine, the combination with a tubular matrix having an inlet opening in one end, of a reciprocating plunger operating in said end, a hopper communicatingwith said irlet opening, and a feeding plunger operating with a vibratory motion in said hopper and actuated by the lirst-named plunger.

15. ln a briquetting machine, the combination with Ya matrix, of a reciprocating plunger communicating therewith, a cylinder, a piston therein connected to the plunger, automatic adjustable means for controlling the reciprocation of the piston and by which the length of the strolre of the piston can be regulated thereby to regulate the size of the briquets.

16. ln a briquetting machine, the combination With a tubular matrix having an inlet o enin in one end of a reci rocatin 7 plunger operating in said end, a hopper communicating with said inlet opening, a feeding plunger operating in the hopper, and means actuated by the irstnamed plunger to give the feeding plunger a vibratory motion during the compressing stroke of the first-named plunger.

17. In a briquetting machine the combination With a matrix member, of a plunger operable therein, means to apply a constant pressure to the plunger, and time mechanism independent of the plunger for controlling the length of time the pressure is applied.

18. ln a briquetting machine the combination with a matrix open at both ends, one of which is constructed to receive the material to be compressed and the other of which is the delivery end, of a plunger operating under a constant pressure in the first-named end to compress into a briquet material delivered to the matrix and force the briquet through the matrix, and time mechanism independent of the plunger to control the delivery of the briquet from the matrix.

19. In a briquetting machine the combination With an elongated tubular matrix open at both ends, of means to deliver terial to be briqueted to one end of said matrix, a plunger operating under a constant pressure in said end of the matrix to form said material into a briquet, the opposite end of said matrix being contractable,

needles and independently operable time controlled means to contract said end periodically.

20. ln a briquetting machine the combination oi' constant pressure means `tor compressing a briquet, and a time mechanism for controlling the length or time the briquet is maintained under pressure.

21. In a briquetting machine, the combination with a matrix open at both ends, one of which is constructed to receive the material to be compressed and the other of Which is the delivery end, or' a plunger 0perating under constant pressure in the iirstnamed end to compress into a briquet material delivered to the matrix and to force the briquet through the matrix, and a time mechanism to control the length of time the briquet is maintained under pressure and to control the delivery of briquets from the matrix.

22. ln a briquetting machine, the combination with a matrix open at both ends, one of which is constructed to receive the material to be compressed and the other of which is the delivery end, of a plunger having a definite stroke and operating under constant press-ure in the first-named end for the full stroke to compress into a briquet material delivered to the matrix and to torce the'briquet through the matrix, and a time mechanism to control the length of time the briquet is maintained under pressure and to control the delivery of briquets from the matrix.

23. In a briquetting machine, the combination with a matrix open at both ends, one of which is constructed to receive the material to be compressed and the other of which is the delivery end, of a plunger 0perating in the first-named end to compress into a briquet material delivered to the matrix and force the briquet through the matrix, and time mechanism controlling the delivery of briquets 'from the matrix thereby controlling the movement oi the plunger to regulate the length of time the briquet is compressed.

2e'. ln a hriquetting machine, the combination with a matrix open at both ends, one of which is constructed to receive the material to be compressed and the other of which is the delivery end, of a plunger having a definite stroke and operating under a constant pressure in the firstnamed end for the full stroke to compress into a briquet material delivered to the matrix and .torce the briquet through the matrix, and time mechanism controlling the delivery of briquets from the matrix thereby controlling the movement oil the plunger to regulate the length oi' time the briquet is compressed.

25. ln a briquetting machine, the combination with a matrix open at both ends, one of which is constructed to receive 'the maeiiei to be compressed and the other of delivery of the briquet; from the matrix which is the delivey end, of a plunger optheeby controlling the movement of the v ereting in the irst-nemed end to compress piunger to ieguete the length of time the l0 into e briquet materiel delivered to the briquet is compressed.

@l metrx end to deliver' the compressed in 'testimony vvl'iereof have signed my briquet, and mea-ns et the deiveiy end of name te hs speeiiicetion. the matrix for controlling the time of the FRED T. DW. 

